Bumper Offer Review

Bumper Offer, from Vaishno Academy, finally released this Friday and it can be said the film is a big comeback for Sairam Shankar whose debut 143 released three years ago was a flop. As a matter of fact, though not a bumper, it gives a bang for your money. You may have a few complaints about the movie, but it is clear paisa vasool. Formulaic and comedic, the film has the signature stamp of producer-screenplay and dialogue writer Puri Jagannadh in the first half. And the second half is pretty simplistic with dosages of laughter guaranteed.

Sai (Sairam) is a mechanic who lives an ordinary life until his macabre tryst with the heroine Bindhu Madhavi. Obstinate and proud, rich brat Bindhu likes to act heavy handed with the hero everytime. This curious nature of the girl attracts Sai towards her and he soon declares that before her. Like a typical Puri hero, this character slaps the pretty girl, calls her names and his mother pats his back for daring to love the daughter of the rich and powerful Surya Prakash (Shayaji Shinde). The heroine too falls for him and resenting his love for some days. However, the problem is that there is a huge socio-economic divide between the two families and Shinde, who has no regard for penniless people beats up Chandra Mohan (hero's father) black and blue. Enter Sairam into the scene who throws at the ruthless real estate magnate a challenge - that he will bring down the millionaire to his level so that he can marry his daughter.

So far so good. Tha narrative takes a plunge from here. It is, from this point, ruled by the simplicity of comedy and some punchy dialogues. How the hero robs Shinde of his riches forms the whole of second half and if you are expecting much, you are for a disappointment. Had the screenplay been interesting there, Bumper Offer would have stood a great chance to become a big hit.

Unfortunately, you will find it vacuous. Soon you realise that director Ravindra has nothing more to show in the second half and this is the reason he enlists the help of ace comedians like Brahmanandam seeing whom we are never tired. Is it so easy to fool around the Home Minister? Can a shrewd businessman who also runs a bank be so naive that he believes Begumpet Aiport can be bought and gives away three hundred crores (in currency wads!) in a jiffy? This and many more glitches can be found in the script.

Performance-wise, Sairam delivers a good one. After 143, Puri told us he never acts over-the-top. The brother could again say the same of this youg star. He is himself on the screen and does not try to imitate anyone nor does things he is not good at.

Bindhu Madhavi is just okay but she needs to improve a lot on expression.

Shinde and Kovai Sarala are superb. Kovai and Sairam are excellent as mother and son; how the son breaks into a folk dance with his mother Ramanamma is a treat to watch.

The protagonist is not believable as a techie who is forced to live as a mechanic thanks to recession. The comedy track between Ali and Venu Madhav starts off well but later turns low-brow.

Music by Raghu Kunche is excellent, good background score and also some mind blowing songs. All in all, Bumper Offer is watchable and little enoyable too.

Released on: 23rd October, 2009